in using her power on the iron stage. Margaret thatcher died this morning at the age of 87. "Nightline" anchor terry moran has more tonight on her ground-breaking life, the country she transformed and an outpouring of respect from across the globe. Reporter: Margaret thatcher -- I'm enjoying this. In 20 years, she vanquished everyone who took her on. She towered over her time, a grocer's daughter who busted open the old boy's club of british politics, remade her country along conservative lines and became a world figure. My face softly made up and my fair hair gently waves -- the iron lady of the western world. Reporter: When margaret thatcher entered politics, she was a young mom. Speaking in the house of commons is quite different. It's a unique experience. Reporter: Becoming prime minister in 1979. Britain was in crisis. Across the atlantic, another staunch conservative was coming to power and she found a soul mate in ronald reagan. They kronted the soviet union and brought the cold war to an end. She gave her people a strong dose of free market conservativism. When her own allies faltered, calling for a uturn in policy, she scorned them as well. You turn if you want to. the lady's not for turning. Reporter: Her popularity soared when she led britain to victory in a war against argentina over the falkland islands. But her conservative policy were deeply divisive. Her own party threw her out of power. Against doctor's advice she attended ronald reagan's funeral in 2004. We've lost a great president, a great american and a great man. And I have lost a dear friend. Reporter: At the end, she was baroness thatcher, granted the title by the queen. But it's as maggie thatcher that she will always be remembered, the iron lady. They were right. britain needs an iron lady. Reporter: Terry moran, abc news, washington.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

Margaret Thatcher: Former British Prime Minister Dead

Known as "The Iron Lady," the 87-year-old political figure died after a stroke.

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